Best Wishes for Bouchard

Premier John Hamm today expressed best personal wishes to Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard on the announcement of his resignation.

"Although Premier Bouchard's sovereignist convictions were always clear, it was my experience that he never used those beliefs to impede consensus and constructive dialogue among provincial and territorial leaders," said Premier Hamm, whose first annual premiers' conference in August 1999 was hosted by Mr. Bouchard in Quebec City. "In fact, Premier Bouchard supported many of Nova Scotia's priorities with the federal government, such as strengthening equalization, negotiating a long-term, cost-shared national highways program and establishing a national shipbuilding policy."

Premier Hamm made the comments today in Truro where he was holding a two-day retreat with his cabinet. He commended Premier Bouchard for putting the needs of his family first.

"Public life is never easy for anybody, especially somebody with two young sons, as is the case with Premier Bouchard and his wife Audrey," said the premier. "I wish the Bouchard family the very best in their new life together."